RILA MOUNTAINS

The Rila Mountains are the highest mountains in Bulgaria and on the whole Balkan Peninsula with mount Musala - 2925 m a.s.l. They occupy the prestigious 6-th place in the European "classification", preceded by Caucasus, the Alps, Sierra Nevada, the Pyrenees and the Etna volcano. Rila is probably the most visited mountain for guided hiking tours and also by individuals to its more gentle slopes compared to Pirin mountains and not the least - its proximity to the capital city - Sofia.
The climate of Rila is determined by its geographical situation, on the border between the continental and the transitional Mediterranean climate.
The lowest average monthly temperature was recorded during February on the mount of Musala - minus 11.6C. During the month of August the average temperature of the month is 5.4C and the absolute maximal temperature is 18.7C. The winds in Rila blow predominately from the west and the southwest. The quantity of precipitation is about 2000 mm fall on Musala per year, about 80 per cent of them being snow. All these climatic factors create prerequisites for avalanches.
The Yundola saddle and the Avramov's saddle separate it from the Rodopi Mountains and the Predel saddle separate it from Pirin Mountains. The mountain occupies the area of 2396 square kilometers.
Some of the most known Bulgarian rivers rise from Rila: Iskar, Maritsa and Mesta.
Among the bosoms of Rila at the altitude of 1147 m above sea level, on the right bank of the Rila River the most outstanding monument of the Bulgarian culture and architecture of the Revival period - the Rila Monastery.
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MAIN PARTS

EASTERN RILA
The highest and the most spacious of the 4 main parts. The 11 highest peaks of the mountain steeper there headed by Mousala.
The lake groups of Mousalenski Lakes with the highest lake in Rila - Glacial (2709 m), Marichini Lakes, Ropalishki, etc. are in this part as well and also the mountain resort Borovets.
The highest meteorological station in South-eastern Europe, built in 1932 is situated on the Mount of Mousala.

MIDDLE RILA
The smallest part of the mountain, but its relief is the most alpine. Middle Rila is rich in glacial lakes. Here are: Fish Lakes, Dzhendem Lakes, Monastery Lakes. The biggest glacial lake on the Balkan Peninsula - Smradlivoto, with the area of 212 decares.

NORTH-WESTERN RILA
Occupies 24% of the total area of the mountain.
There is the peak: Maljovitsa (2730 m a.s.l.), a symbol of Bulgarian alpinism and mountaineering. Some of the biggest and significant lake groups are situated in this part of the mountain as well as the biggest and the most famous lake group on the Balkan Peninsula - the Seven Rila Lakes.

SOUTH-WESTERN RILA
Comprises 30 % of the mountain.
One of the oldest biosphere reserve is located on the territory of this part - Parangalitsa.
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Featured hiking tours in Rila Mountains (escorted):
- The three highest
- Rila-Pirin mountains trek
- Govedartsi, Rila Mountains adventures
- Snowshoeing in Rila and Vitosha mountains
- Rock climbing courses in Rila Mountains